Will the EastBay Express consider writing about the greater narrative of the black-owned business? We are more than 3 restaurants, a bookstore and a record shop.

After decades of university education (yes we have been in universities for decades). Oakland is home to Architects, Financial Advisors, Engineers, Doctors, etc. By repeatedly writing about the same 6 stores, you perpetuate the image that black people are no more than retail entertainment.

I hope with this note the East Bay Express will stop, take a look and truly write about us all. I for one am tired of weekly emails and comments for students and adults (black, white and in-between) who did not know there are black architects right here in Oakland, much less elsewhere. Just for starters google the LAX airport to learn about Paul R Williams, the 1st black architect in the US.

I want the East Bay Express to raise it's educational bar. As yourself why you are not aware of black professionals to the point where you assume we do not exist? Become curious. Then print another story about us, the wider narrative of black professionals.

Loved Genova in the past, but rarely go there for a lunch sandwich. The wait is sometimes 15-20 minutes. Can't get a parking spot nearby, either. I also stopped going to Genova when I realized that they have a no donations policy, so they did not give back to the Temescal community like so many other businesses have.

As Upper Broadway has begun to take off with True Burger, Underwood Cafe, Blue Bottle as well as the golden oldies like Mama's Royal, I think Genova should consider moving its factory to a cheaper rent location and build out the factory with a full-service deli. Of course, it would take a lot of $ to build it all out but with its own parking lot and lots more housing now going in along Broadway, it seems like a smart move.

Landlords are like vultures ruining merchants with rate hikes that remind us of usury or gangster strong arm robbery. It seems that the landlord class in the Bay area is no exception as they toss 95 year old tenants out on the street like the heartless thugs they are or jack up rents forcing businesses to close. Oh do they go to Church on Sundays? Why do they waste their time as the pearly gates must surely be locked to such individuals. It's up to government to build out affordable spaces for restaurants or we won't have any left that are affordable and to extend rent control to commercial spaces before cities are made unlivable by them.

Can you give a reason why landlords will raise rents beyond the ability of long-term businesses to remain in place? For example: who else can go into those locations and produce more revenue than the ones who have been dependable for all those years?

These all seem like great places to eat- I for one appreciate the inclusion of an Indian restaurant on 79th and E.14th... not exactly the middle of nowhere- but I digress- I would not have gathered an Indian restaurant there neither ;). I do however must remind you folks that there WAS (gasp) an Oakland before 1999 and there are many places that would fight a for a spot on a list of quintessential Oakland restaurants and dives that are nary mentioned here. Good eats tho !